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Faculty of Science

RES: Resources, Environment and Sustainability

RES 500 (3-12) d Resource and Environmental Workshop

Faculty and students from different disciplines act as an interdisciplinary team studying specific resource problems with ecological, economic, demographic and social dimensions. Techniques and methods are emphasized to show their value in integrating knowledge, defining policy and facilitating communication. Several sections with different emphasis offered each year. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor is required.

RES 501 (3) Development of Environmental Thought

History and philosophy of Western environmental thought; changes in concepts of human nature and external nature over time; critiques of modern industrial society. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

RES 502 (3) Seminar on Resources and Environment

Environment and resource management goals and issues. Students enrolled in the program will give two presentations. The first will outline specific research interests of the students. The second will provide a synopsis of research at a time when the student is nearing completion of the thesis. Faculty members and other speakers will also be invited to participate and present seminars. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

History of wilderness and protected areas; ecological dynamics underpinning biodiversity; evaluating the success of protected areas and ecological dynamics. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

RES 507 (3) Human Technological Systems

Critical analysis of harms and benefits, and anticipation of global technological innovations, as they interact with social behaviour. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

RES 508 (3) Ecosystem Services

Fostering sustainable management of ecosystem-based activities, for the competing and complementary ends of sustaining and enhancing human well-being and protecting biodiversity. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

RES 510 (3) Social Ecological Systems

Dynamics of environmental issues across temporal and spatial scales using disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to integrating sociological, cultural, and ecological perspectives. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

RES 515 (3) Integrated Watershed Management

Methods of watershed evaluation, land-water interactions, key aspects of hydrology, water quality and aquatic biota, land use impacts on water resources, community involvement, and integration of multiple land use activities and their cumulative impacts. Credit will be granted for only one of SOIL 515 or RES 515. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

RES 516 (3) Urban Watershed Management

Urban land use impacts on water resources with a focus on impervious surfaces, storm-water management, non-point sources of pollution, cumulative effects, water quality, rehabilitation of urban streams and application of best management practices. Prior completion of RES 515 strongly recommended. Credit will be granted for only one of RES 516 or SOIL 516. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

RES 517 (3) Agricultural Watershed Management

Intensive and extensive agriculture with a focus on water needs, water use and impacts on water resources. Non-point sources of pollution, nutrient modeling, soil and land degradation, protection and rehabilitation of watersheds including buffer zones, wetlands, and best management practices. Credit will be granted for only one of SOIL 520 or RES 517. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.Equivalency: SOIL 520.

RES 518 (3) Water in International Development

Key water issues associated with international development: global water demand, scarcity, efficiency of use, water as a commodity, biophysical and policy aspects of water management, water and health, land use impact, water harvesting, improved irrigation, and pollution prevention. Credit will be granted for only one of SOIL 518 or RES 518. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

The course focuses on the role of values, science and validity of alternate knowledge systems. Included in the dialogue are the democratization of science, uncertainty, adaptive scientific practices and the values that govern management programs. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

RES 542 (3) Integrated Assessment

Basic skills for quantitative analysis including probability, validity of quantitative statements and experimental design to test hypothesis validity. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

RES 550 (3) Environmental Policy Analysis

Determination of risks and values in environmental policy decisions. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.Equivalency: PLAN 599.

RES 586 (3) Fish Conservation and Management

Offered concurrently with CONS 486. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.Equivalency: CONS 486.